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Swan 48 Ss
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Nautor  ·  First built: 1971
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About the Swan 48 Ss

Designed by the legendary Sparkman & Stephens and built by Finland's prestigious Nautor yard, this classic Swan represents the pinnacle of 1970s yacht design. With 46 hulls launched between 1971 and 1976, the Swan 48 Ss established itself as a sophisticated offshore cruiser that could hold its own in competitive sailing. The yacht's substantial 36,000-pound displacement and generous ballast ratio of 14,100 pounds create exceptional stability and seaworthiness, making her ideally suited for serious offshore passages and coastal cruising. Her moderate comfort ratio of 42.53 strikes an excellent balance between performance and livability, while the capsize screening formula of 1.65 confirms her blue-water credentials. The masthead sloop rig with 1,032 square feet of sail area provides ample power, yet remains manageable for a cruising couple. Her fin keel with rudder on skeg configuration offers responsive handling while maintaining directional stability in challenging conditions. The fiberglass construction has proven remarkably durable, with many examples still actively sailing decades after launch. This Swan appeals to sailors seeking a proven offshore design with classic lines, robust construction, and the prestige of the Swan pedigree. She's particularly well-suited for experienced sailors planning extended cruising or occasional club racing.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 47.90 ft / 14.60 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 37.28 ft / 11.36 m
Beam 13.60 ft / 4.15 m
Max Draft 7.74 ft / 2.36 m
Displacement 36,000.00 lb / 16,329 kg
Ballast 14,100.00 lb / 6,396 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 1,032.00 ft² / 95.88 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Nautor
First Built 1971
Last Built 1976
Number Built 46
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 72
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 15.21
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 39.17
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 310.19
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 42.53
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.65
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 8.18 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 1.54
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,811.60 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 15.21
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 60.00 ft / 18.29 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 54.00 ft / 16.46 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
SA Fore 600.00 ft² / 55.74 m²
SA Main 432.00 ft² / 40.13 m²
SA Total (100%) 1,032.00 ft² / 95.88 m²
Est. Forestay Length 63.25 ft / 19.28 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo Penta
Engine Model MD21A
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 36
Fuel Capacity 55 gals / 208 L
Water Capacity 90 gals / 341 L
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